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Letters for Feb. 7

Rep. Kennemer respected for business advocacy; County spelling-bee volunteers needed; Happy Valley's mayor should get support

It's with mixed emotions that we share Bill's retirement announcement. As his friends, we are thrilled that he and Cherie will be able to travel and spend more time with their family and grandchildren. As his colleagues, we are saddened by losing a true advocate for business!

Bill has been a true friend to this community and to this Chamber for many years. His tireless efforts to support business and jobs is unmatched. Bill has worked on many committees over the years and just recently has been working tirelessly on House Committee assignments such as co-vice chair of the Business and Labor Committee, vice chair of the Joint Committee on Health Insurance Transition and as a member of the Health Care and Rules Committees. These important committees work on some of the most critical issues that our legislators face.

As he finishes strong during his last short-session, we thank you, Bill, for your continued efforts to stand up for businesses and our rights!

Oregon Spellers, which runs the Oregon Statewide Spelling Championship, is looking for volunteers in Clackamas County to help organize written spelling contests at the school, district and county levels. This year's championship will be held Sept. 1 at the Oregon State Fair in Salem.

We have noticed that Clackamas County is one of the few counties in Oregon that is not currently participating in this great opportunity to showcase and recognize academic excellence in spelling. The Championship is a written contest where students compete in elementary, middle and high school divisions.

We would like to invite you to consider organizing the spelling contests in Clackamas County so that the students in your community have a chance to participate in this fun and educational opportunity. More detailed information about how to organize a spelling contest can be found at our website, oregonspellers.org, or we would be happy to provide you with guidance.

I have been a resident of Happy Valley for over 20 years. I've seen mayors come and go in this city. But no one has been more impressive than our current Mayor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. I was so proud to see our mayor attend a meeting with President Trump in an effort to bring infrastructure dollars back to the state of Oregon.

Despite how people may feel about the president, Mayor Chavez-DeRemer showed real leadership by demonstrating bipartisanship and putting her constituents above politics.

Happy Valley citizens should be proud to have a mayor that is as passionate about the city as Lori Chavez-DeRemer is. She recently announced her re-election and I urge everyone in Happy Valley to vote for her this November.

Kirk Kelly

Happy Valley

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